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Trailer

They Drive by Night

1940Movie1 h 35 minNR

CrimeDrama
75
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.2Metacritic735.8Rotten Tomatoes93%69%

A thrilling, tense drama movie about history.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

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Not for laughs.

Movies with

Story

No picture in 1940 will have bigger thrills!

Joe and Paul Fabrini are Wildcat, or independent, truck drivers who have their own small one-truck business. The Fabrini boys constantly battle distributors, rivals and loan collectors, while trying to make a success of their transport company.

Feels like

  • Classic Hollywood
  • Trucking
  • Film Noir
  • Family Business
  • Independent Drivers
  • Loan Collectors
  • Black and White
  • 1940s America
  • Melancholy Tone

Cast

24 of 59

Crew

Directed by
Raoul Walsh
Written by
A.I. Bezzerides, Richard Macaulay, Jerry Wald
Produced by
Hal B. Wallis, Jack L. Warner, Mark Hellinger
Music by
Leo F. Forbstein, Adolph Deutsch

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

July 26, 1940 · 1 h 35 min · NR

Released
July 26, 1940
Runtime
1 h 35 min
Age rating
NR
Genres
Drama, Crime, Thriller
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$539,000
Box office
$2 million
Available in
20 countries

Tropes

The Alcoholic, All a Part of the Job, Brainless Beauty +9

  • The Alcoholic
  • All a Part of the Job
  • Brainless Beauty
  • The Casanova
  • Ugly Guy, Hot Wife
  • Loan Shark
  • Out of Focus
  • Just One More Level!
  • Pretty in Mink
  • Nouveau Riche
  • Lady Macbeth
  • Frame-Up

12 of 28 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

4 questions, like "Where can I stream They Drive by Night?"

Questions about They Drive by Night

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream They Drive by Night?

Mometu

In the United States, They Drive by Night is free with ads on Mometu. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.

Is They Drive by Night worth watching?

75
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 75 (IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 93%, and Metacritic 73). Critics rate it higher (83 out of 100) than audiences (66).

Is They Drive by Night okay for kids?

NR

Yes: it's rated NR in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for family nights.

What tropes does They Drive by Night use?

The AlcoholicAll a Part of the JobBrainless BeautyThe CasanovaUgly Guy, Hot WifeLoan SharkOut of FocusJust One More Level!Pretty in MinkNouveau RicheLady MacbethFrame-Upand 16 more

TV Tropes lists 28 tropes for it, including The Alcoholic, All a Part of the Job, and Brainless Beauty.